Apparatus for erecting a building



Aug. 9, 1955 T. B. sLlcK APPARATUS FOR ERECTING A BUILDING 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 194e Aug 9, 1955 T.. B. sLlcK 2,715,013

APPARATUS FOR ERECTING A BUILDING Filed July 26, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 27%0m5 ,5 `flic/f INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Aug. 9, 1955 T. B. SUCK 2,715,013

APPARATUS FOR ERECTING A BUILDING 4 Filed July 26, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 33 omds 5. J//cA INVENTOR.

BY@ ME United States Patent APPARATUS FoR ERECTING A BUILDING Thomas B.Slick, San Antonio, Tex., assignor, by mesne assignments, to UnitedStates Lift Slab Corporation, Austin, Tex., a corporation of DelawareApplication July 26, 1948, Serial N o. 40,746 1 Claim. (Cl. 254-106)This invention relates to the construction of buildings and has for itsgeneral object an improvement in the method of and apparatus for theeconomical construction of buildings, and an improvement in buildingstructure.

This invention relates particularly to the construction of buildings ofconcrete or other moldable or formable material, although certain phasesof the invention are likewise applicable to buildings constructed ofwood, steel or the like.

A specific object of this invention is to avoid the practice inconventional building methods which involves the necessity for hoistinginto position the parts or elements of the floor and roof structures ofa building and the fabrication of such floor and roof structures at theupper levels which they are to occupy in the finished building.

Another object ofthis invention is to providea method of buildingconstruction which will make it possible to carry out at approximatelyground level the maximum amount of the work of fabrication of the floorand roof structures. t

More specifically it is the object of this invention to make it possibleto construct at approximately ground level the floor and roof structuresof a building in which such structures are of monolithic concrete.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means whereby asubstantially complete floor or roof structure may be readily elevatedfrom a point of fabrication adjacent the ground level to a higher pointwhich it is to occupy in the nished building.

Another object of this invention is the elimination of all concreteforms and shoring, both above ground and on the ground level with theexception of foundation forms and side forms for slabs which are pouredon the foundation, ground, or ground floor. t

Another object is to provide a building construction in which thenecessity for extensive scalfolding or temporary supporting members willbe avoided, and in `which the support for the parts of the iloor androof structures during the fabrication will he solid and true, thusfacilitating the accurate and economical fabrication of such floor androof structures,

Another object is to provide a method of building construction in whichthe dangers attendant upon working at elevated levels Will be reduced toa minimum.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth certain embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings: t

Fig. l is a side elevation of a partly completed building constructed inaccordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of a building such as illustrated in Fig. lbut showing the same just prior to the elevation of the roof slab.

Fig. 3 is a view on an enlarged scale, partly in cross section andpartly in elevation illustratingthe details of Patented Aug. 9, 1955mounting and arrangement of one of the units of the hoisting apparatusshown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical crosssection taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 andillustrating in elevation the tensiometer employed in connection witheach of the elements of the hoisting apparatus shown in Figs. l to 4inclusive.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating a modified form ofapparatus for hoisting a completed unit of the building structure intoplace.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view on an enlarged scaleillustrating a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale showingthe bearing, the guide, :and the anchoring structure generallyillustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 9-9 ofFig. 6.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1 in Fig. ldesignates a foundation structure which in its details forms no part ofthe present invention and Which may be of any conventional form suitablefor the Weight and the nature of the building to be constructed. In theinstance illustrated, it may be assumed that the foundation 1 is ofconcrete and that there is formed on the foundation a conventionalconcrete floor slab 2 which, if desired, may be integral with thefoundation. In the construction of the foundation and of theconventional floor slab 2 there may be anchored a plurality of uprightsupports or columns 3 adapted to support the upper loors and roof of thebuilding. These columns may be anchored in the body of the foundation bybeing placed before the foundation is poured or in any otherconventional or desirable manner. ln most instances they would bevertically arranged and in all cases: must be parallel to each other.They may be of any well-known construction or design sufiicient tosupport the load which they are intended to carry. In the illustrationthey are cylindrical and may be preferably of steel or other suitablemetal, or of reinforced concrete with steel sleeves at the level wherethe oor and roof slabs are to be located.

In Fig. l there is shown resting directly upon the upper y surface ofthe floor slab 2 a slab 4 which is adapted to form one of the upperfloors of the building. This slab 4 is, in accordance with thisinvention, formed directly upon the floor slab 2 and is supported duringthe forming process by the floor slab 2 throughout the extent of theslab 4. It is readily apparent that, if desired, the lower slab 2 may beeliminated and the slab 4 formed on the ground or on suitable supportsadjacent the ground, and then elevated and anchored at a position whereit will constitute the lowermost lloor.

In the construction of the slab 4, as illustrated, there is placedaround the outside of the slab 2 a form (not shown) of any conventionaldesign. The upper surface of the slab 2 is provided with a suitableparting material such as paraflin, paper, rubber sheets or similarmaterial. Suitable bearing guide members 21 substantially surroundingeach of the columns 3 and freely slidlable thereon are placed around therespective columns. Tubular anchors 50 are also positioned adjacent thebearing members 21 for the purpose hereinafter stated. These members andanchors are of such a length as to extend through the slab to be pouredand the members may be initially split to make it possible to place themaround the columns.

Suitable reinforcements for the new slab, and also bolts for the pulleyblocks 6 which carry the sheaves 7 are put in place so as to be anchoredrrnly in the new slab when it is poured. The hooks 5 will preferably beadapted to be anchored in anchors 50 as shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore,suitable bolts are placed for anchoring the bases 8 upon which theWinches 9 are later to be mounted.

The slab 4 is then poured directly on the floor slab 2 and allowed toset.

When the slab 4 has completely set so that its has suflicient inherentstrength to enable it to be hoisted into position, suitable cables 10are anchored to the hooks 5 and passed upwardly over sheaves 11 at theupper ends of the respective columns 3. These cables are then passeddownwardly along the opposite sides of the respectives columns 3 andthrough the sheaves 7 after which they are connected to the Winches 9.Each cable has attached to it adjacent the hook 5 a tensiometer 13, thedetails of which will be presently set forth.

It will now be seen that by manipulation of the Winches 9 the entireslab may be raised, sliding up along the column 3, until it is in thenal position desired. During this raising oper-ation substantially equaltension may be exerted upon the cables 10 by merely observing therespective tensiometers 13 and operating the Winches in such a manner asto keep all tensiometers at substantially such readings as would placethe least amount of bending stress upon the slab. When the slab 4 hasbeen raised to the desired position, it may be anchored in any mannerdeemed desirable, and in cases in which the columns and bearing -fmembers Within the slab are both of steel or the like, these bearingmembers may be welded directly to the columns in order to permanentlyposition the slab at the elevation desired. After the slab has been sopositioned and welded or otherwise secured, the Winches, cables,sheaves, etc., mounted thereon may be removed for later use as desired.

In the showing to be found in Fig. 1, a roof slab 14 and a third-licorslab 1S are illustrated as already in place, but it will be understoodthat these sl-abs, Within the contemplation of this invention will havebeen formed on the ground floor slab 2 and later elevated to position,in the same manner as has been described in connection with the slab 4.It will be apparent that in the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, theirst slab to have been poured on top of the slab 2 will have been theroof slab 14 and that after the elevation of this roof slab to theposition illustrated in Fig. l, the pouring and elevation of the slab 15will have been accomplished. Because the structure therein set forth isthe same as that illustrated in Fig. l with the exception that the viewshown in Fig. 2 is taken looking down upon the roof slab at the timethat it is ready to be hoisted into its nal position, no further description of Fig. 2 will be necessary.

In Fig. 3 the structure is illustrated more in detail and in this ligureit will be seen that there is a slightly modified form of anchoremployed. Instead of the hook 5 there is illustrated an eye-bolt 17which extends through the anchor 50 in the slab 14 and is anchored atits lower end to the upper flange 18 of an I-beam 19 which extends alongthe underside of the slab 14. The I-beam 19 has its web provided with ahand hole 20 which affords access to the nut on the lower end of thebolt 17.

Extending through the slab 14 and surrounding the column 3 in slidablerelation thereto is a tubular bearing guide member 21 which ispreferably of metal or the like, and which, as hereinbefore stated, isput in place around the column 3 before the pouring of the slab 14. Alsoembedded in the slab 14, and surrounding and preferably secured to thebearing member 21 and the anchor 50 as by welding or the like, is aplate 22 forming a flange to properly space and assist in anchoring theanchor 50 'and the bearing member 21. Thus there is formed a combinedanchor and bearing guide which is slidably mounted on its respectiveupright support or column 3. Hollowedout portions 24 may be formed inthe under surfaces of roof and floor slabs constructed in accordancewith this invention in the same manner that such hollowed-out portionsare formed in similar slabs in conventional concrete structures.

The sheaves 11 are mounted on the upper ends of the respective columns 3by means of pulley blocks 25 having portions 26 which extend into thehollow upper ends of the column 3. It will be understood, however, thatany suitable means of mounting these sheaves 11 may be employed.

As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the tensiometer 13 is mounted directlyupon that portion of the cable 10 which is anchored to the slab. Themounting for this instrument includes a rigid bar 27 which issubstantially parallel to and spaced from the cable 10, and a pair ofbars 28 at substantially right angles to the bar 27, the bars 28 beingsecured to the opposite ends of the bar 27 and having parts embracingthe cable 10.

The body 29 of the tensiometer has a dial properly graduated, togetherwith an indicating hand or pointer 30 which swings over the graduationon the dial. This hand is connected to a fourth bar 31 located betweenthe two bars 28 and having a part 32 bearing against a portion of thecable 10 between the bars 28. The lengths and adjustments of the bars 28and 31 are such that when there is no tension or only slight tension onthe cable, the bar 31 will deflect laterally that portion of the cableagainst which it bears. When additional tension is placed on the cable,this deflection will tend to be taken out of the cable with a consequentmovement of the bar 31 and a turning of the pointer 30 which will serveto indicate the amount of increased tension on the cable. Thesetensiometers are so positioned that each will be in plain View of aperson operating the winch which is connected to the cable on which thetensiometer is mounted.

Referring now to the modified form illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, it willbe noted that this form embodies a means for elevating the slab by meansof hydraulic pressure instead of by a cable hoist such as justdescribed.

In connection with Figs. 6 and 7 it will be noted that the slab 33 isprovided with a tubular bearing member 21 extending therethrough insubstantially the same manner as hereinbefore described. Also, there isprovided an anchor plate or flange 34 similar in function anddisposition to the flange 22. However, instead of the hook 5 or theeye-bolt 17 and the pulley block 6 the slab is provided with a pair oftubular anchors 35 extending therethrough substantially parallel to andon opposite sides of each column 3. Extending through these anchors 35are bolts or rods 36 having nuts 37 on their lower ends. The upperendsof these bolts or rods extend through openings in cross heads 38 and39 which are mounted respectively on the upper end of the column 3 andon cylinder 40 movable upwardly and downwardly with respect to thecolumn 3 in a manner presently to be described.

As appears more in detail in Fig. 7, each of the cross heads 38 and 39is provided with tapered toothed wedges or slips 41 which will moveupwardly and apart to permit the bolts or rods 36 to move upwardlythrough the cross heads, but upon downward movement with respect to thecross heads, will move toward each other and grip these rods to preventthem from moving downwardly through the cross heads.

A piston rod 42 is carried on the upper end of the column 3 and extendsupwardly into the cylinder 40. Located on the upper end of this pistonrod is a piston 43 which effects a uid-tight sliding seal within thecylinder 40. The upper end of the cylinder is closed by a cylinder head44 through which is connected a conduit 45 by which pressure fluid maybe injected into the cylinder 40 above the piston 43.

This conduit 45 is connected to a 2-way valve 46 which is positionableto connect the conduit 45 to a pump 47 or to a reservoir 48 according tothe desires of the operator.

It will be seen that when the valve 46 is in the position shown in Fig.6, pressure iluid will be drawn by the pump 47 from the reservoir 48 andforced into the upper end of the cylinder 40. This fluid will actbetween the cylinder head 44 and the upper end of the piston 43 to forcethe cylinder and its associated cross head 39 to move upwardly withrespect to the column 3. In the course of this movement, slips 41 oncross head 39 will grip the rods 36 thereby causing the rods, and theslab 33 to which they are secured to move upwardly with respect to thecolumn 3. Slips 41 on cross head 38 will allow the rods 36 to slipfreely in an upward direction but will restrain rods 36 from downwardmovement.

When the upper limit of movement of the cylinder 40 has been reached,the valve 46 will be turned to permit pressure uid from the upper end ofthe cylinder 40 to flow back into the reservoir 48. The weight of thecylinder 40 and the cross head 39 will during this time cause theseparts to move downwardly to their original position. In the course ofthis movement the slips 41 within the cross head 39 will loosen topermit the cross head to move downwardly with respect to the rods 36,but the slips 41 within the cross head 38 will grip these rods andprevent downward movement of the rods and the slab 33 thus, bysuccessive steps, the slab 33 may be raised to any amount desired.

It will be appreciated that by connecting all of the cylinders actingupon a single slab to a single source of pressure, balance lifting uponthe slab may be obtained at desired points, and excessive stresses andstrains in the slab will be avoided.

It will be appreciated that a method and means has been set forth bywhich all of the objects and advantages of this invention will beobtained. It will further be appreciated that while the specic means andmethod set forth represent preferred embodiments of the invention, thesame may be varied within the scope of the appended claim withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of this invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

Apparatus for erecting a building including a hoisting unit, said unitcomprising an elongated force transmitting member; a jack having partsrelatively movable toward and away from each other alternately duringoperation and having tapered sockets therein; downwardly taperedsegmented slips carried by each of said relatively movable jack parts inthe correspondingly tapered sockets in the jack parts, said memberextending through one of said sockets in each jack part and being spacedfrom the walls thereof with said slips positioned therebetween whereby,when the jack is operated in one direction, one of the parts will moveupwardly with the respective slips thereof forming a fixed connectionwith said force transmitting member to lift the member upwardly relativeto the other of said jack parts as the member slides freely through therespective slips of said other part, and whereby, when the jack isoperated in the opposite direction, said one jack part will movedownwardly accompanied by initial downward movement of the memberrelative to said other jack part, the respective slips of said otherpart seating in the socket thereof to form a fixed connection with saidmember to hold it stationary, and simultaneously therewith the slips ofthe one jack part becoming free from their xed connection with saidmember in said stationary position and sliding and following the onepart as it moves downwardly; an upright support, said other jack partbeing supported on the upper end of said upright support, a combinedanchor and bearing guide slidably mounted on said upright support belowsaid jack, said force transmitting member being liftingly secured tosaid combined anchor and bearing guide, whereby a slab cast about saidcombined anchor and bearing guide may be raised by said jack to adesired elevated position for permanent attachment to said uprightsupport.

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